Summary

As the four men wait for Trujillo’s car, another car drives up beside them, and a high-ranking politician informs them that Trujillo will be coming this way tonight. Salvador makes a comment about the politician, an Antonio remembers how months earlier, the same friend had accused him of selling his brother Octavio out. Since then, they had barely spoken. In the silence that ensues, Antonio thinks about about the set-up of the operation: the CIA-rifles, the two cars supposed to cut off Trujillo, and the special-made Chevrolet.

Antonio de la Maza's thoughts turn to memories of his childhood. The de la Mazas had been fierce anti-Trujillistas. For three year, Antonio had waged guerilla war on Trujillo from the mountains of the Moca province before being captured. Impressed by his spirit, Trujillo had made him a lieutenant: what Antonio calls his “first defeat” (78).